Gael f



(No Model.)

' C. F. BOPP.

FOLDING BED.

No. 339,414. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT CARL F. HOPF, OF` CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OFTlVO-THIRDS TO JOHNA C. HORN AND JACOB M. HORN, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339.414, dated April 6,1886.

Application tiled July 6, 1885.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, CARL F. HOPE, of Chiago, inthe county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFolding Beds; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon,

ro which form a part of this specication.

This invention relates to improvements in folding beds; and it consistsin the matters hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

The several features of improvement constituting my invention are hereinillustrated in connection with a folding bed of that class in which theside rails are centrally divided and hinged so as to rise in the middle,and in 2o which the head and foot parts of the bed-frame,

to which the ends of the side rails are pivoted, are moved horizontallytoward and from each ot-herin opening and closing the bed. Certain ofthe improvements herein shown are, however, applicable to other kinds offolding beds, as will hereinafter appeal'.

The invention may be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a central ver- 3o ticalsection of a bed in its folded position, the position of the parts whenunfolded being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a sectional view ofthe parts at one side of the bed-casing, taken uponlinea' a: Fig. 1.Fig.

3 is afragmentary exterior view of the closed bed, showing the upperpart thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail side-view ofthe end portion of one ofthe side rails. Fig. is a sectional view of the saine, taken upon lineaf t of Fig. et. Fig.

4o 6 is a sectional View of the same, taken upon line g/ yof Fig. 4.

In the particular form of folding bed herein shown as one embodiment ofmy invention, A and A are respectively the head and foot sections orportions ofthe external frame or casing, and B B the parts of thetwo-part folding body-frame, said parts B B' being pivotally attached tothe head and foot sections and hinged together at their inner orcontignous ends, so as to enable the middle of the body-frame to riseand the head and foot ends Serial No.170,69(l. (No model.)

of said body-frame to come together when the parts of the casing arethrust toward each other.

The head frame or section A is principally A composed of upright sidepieces, c, a partial or complete back, c', and a horizontal top piece,ai, forming apart of the inclosing top of the bed-casing when the bed isclosed. The foot frame or section A consists of side up- 6o rights, a3,and a front Wall or footboard, ai, forming the front of the casing whenthe bed is folded.

The head-section A 'is made of sufficient height to cover or extend overthe upper end of the folded body-frame; but the footsection A isdesirably made lower than the head-section,for the reason, among others,th at the bed, when opened, thereby presents more nearly the appearanceof an ordinary bedstead.

As an improved means for closing or covering the space between the topof the foot-section and the top of the relatively higher headsection, acurved or cylindric top, A, is employed, said top being inovablysupported upon the head-section A in such manner that it maybe swungbackwardly into the upper part thereof when the bed is opened and thrownoutwardly, so as to rest upon the upper edge of the foot-section whenthe bed is closed.

In the particular construction of the cover or top-A2 and adjacent partsherein shown the curved wall of said top extends through approximatelyone-fourth of a circle, and the said top is provided with vertical sidewalls, 8 A3, pivoted upon the inner faces of the upper parts, a?, of theside walls, a, of the head-section, which said parts a5 are, as shown,extended forward slightly beyond the front edge of the lower part of thesaid side Walls. The said sides A3 of the top are dcsirably fittedclosely to the inner faces of the parts a5 of the side Walls, a, theparts being so arranged that the upper ends of the side rails, B and B',may pass freely inside of the said sides A3 when the bed is folded.

The rear wall or head-board, af, is desirably so arranged with referenceto the curved top A2 that when the latter is thrown back the saidhead-board and curved top Will come together roo this purpose themeeting parts of the curved top may be made in any suitable manner togive an appearance of continuity to the surface.

As herein shown, the upper edge of the head-board a is arranged at aproper height to enable the rear edge of the curved topto rest upon it,and thereby make a flush joint at the inner or front surface of theparts, the

space above the partial head-board being` left open, as shown, so that aventilatingaperture will be formed when the casing is closed.

In the particular construction shown a flat top rail, a, is placed aboutthe top edges of the sides a and foot-board a* of the foot-section A,against which the front side of the curved top rests when the said topis closed; butrthe parts may be constructed otherwise at this point, asfound desirable or convenient.

I am aware that it has been common to eniploy in writing or oflice desksa pivoted cylindrie cover provided with vertical end pieces, and adaptedto extend over the horizontal top part of the desk when thrown forward,and to enter a higher rear part of the desk when said cover is thrownback or opened, and that a similar construction in which a cylindriccover without ends is adapted to slide in vertical sidewalls or piecesof the casing has been employed in a desk which'is made part of afolding-bed casing. I am aware, also, that it has been proposedheretofore to employ as a top for a folding-bed casing made in twoseparable parts a hinged cover or flap adapted to fold up against thehead board when the bed is open, and to swing down in the horizontalposition and rest at its free edge upon the foot portion of the casing,so as to close the top of the casing when the parts are folded together.A bed-casing has heretofore been made, also, having continuous sidewalls and open at its front, in which a sliding cover consisting ofconnected flexible strips has been employed to close the space between astationary top 'of i the casing and a part of the bed-frame lling thelower portions of the open front of the said casing.

The pivoted cylin'dric cover herein shown has the obvious advantage overthe hinged cover or flap hereinbefore referred to of affording a muchlarger space within the casing than can be obtained by the use of suchcover or flap when used with a foot-section made of the usual height,while at the same time giving a more finished and ornamental appearanceto the said folding casing both when opened and closed. The slidingcover or curtain, consisting of iexiblyjoined strips, above referred to,has the disadvantage ot' requiring the pres ence of parts of the sidewalls to receive and guide the said sliding cover when the latter isthrown forward, so that the said sliding cover is not applicable to thecasing of the character herein shown, in which the side walls of thecasing are divided centrally and form parts both of the head and footportions of the said casing. The pivoted cylindric cover above describedpossesses the important -advantage overthe said sliding cover or curtainin being formed of a single piece,and also in being adapted to closeboth the front and sides of the space between the head-section of afolding bed and -a foot-section madelower than the said hcadlsection.Said cylindric cover is furthermore of special advantage as applied to afoldingbed casing of the character herein shown, for the reason thatwhen folded back into the upper part of the headsect-ion it occupiesspace which is not otherwise utilized, and at the same time gives anornamental appearance to the upper part of the said head-section whenthe bed is open. It is to be understood, however, that the pivotedcylindric cover herein claimed may be applied to close the space betweentwo folding parts of a casing composed of two parts, one of which ishigher than the other, in folding beds, which are in other respectsconstructed diiferentl y from theparticular one herein illustrated anddescribed. i

In the particular constructionillustrated of the body-frame,itspivotalconnection with the bed-casing, and other parts connected therewith,said parts are made as follows: The hinged joints between the parts BB', ofthe side rails are formed by connectingplates C placed against theouter faces of the rails,and links D,located at the inner faces of therails, the plates and links being located adjacent to the lower edges ofthe rails and connected with the parts of the latter by pivot-bolts@,passing through the said severalfparts, as shown. Said parts of theside rails are pivotally supported upon the head and foot sections A Aby means of pivots E E, and the bed-bottom is formed by means of a wovenwire mattress or fabric, F, attached to cross-bars G and G, which aresupported at their ends in the rails B B at the head and foot of thebed, respect ively. The bar G at the head portion of the bed is, asshown, movably connected with the side rails B, its ends for thispurpose being located and adapted to slide in slots b in the end portionof said rails, and the said bar G is provided at its ends withprojecting studs or pins g, engaged by hooks H,which are pivoted uponthe inner faces of the opposite side walls of the headsectioneccentrically to the pivots E of the side rails and at the side of saidpivots adjacent to the head-board, the parts last mentioned so arrangedthat when the body-frame is unfolded and brought into a horizontalposition the ends of the hooks H engaged with the movable cross-rail Gwill be forced away from the pivots E, thereby carrying the rail G-toward the head-board and extendingorstretchingthefabricF.Thebodysection ofthe bed is, as shown, also provided with straightsprings I I, attached to cross-bars K K, at which are rigidly secured tothe side rails, B and B', the head and foot ends ofthe body-frame. ThespringsI extend from their points of attachment toward the middlejointof the body-frame, and are provided upon their free ends with shortT-heads, said springs being for the purpose of supporting the middlefolded part of the mattress when the bed is folded.

The devices for stretching and supporting the fabric, as far asdescribed, are similar to those shown in Letters Patent No. 317,861,granted to John C'. Horn and (1F. Hopf, the present applicant, upon the5th day of May, 1885. As shown in said patent, means are provided fortightening the fabric F,in which the fabric is attached at the foot ofthe bed to a movable crosspiece arranged parallel with the cross-piece Gof the body-frame and connected with the said cross-piece G byscrewbolts, whereby the movable cross piece may be drawn toward the footof the bed.

An improved tightening device is herein illustrated in which the fabricis attached di rectly to the cross-rail G-,and the studs or pins g/,towhich the power is applied to stretch the mattress, instead o1' beingsecured in or to the ends ol' the cross-rail, are placed upon metal endpieces or castings, J, having sliding connections with the ends of therails; and provided with set-serewsj or other adjusting devices, wherebythe rails maybe moved in the castings and held in their changedpositions.

In the particular forni of the castings J herein shown the latter areprovided with side fianges,J, fitted over the side end portions oftherail G, and are fitted to slide in the slots b of the side rails B. Saidcastings also, as more clearly shown in Figs.4.,5,and (i, are providedwith slots j', adapted to receiveheaded studs g upon the ends oftherails Gv, said studs, as shown, being formed upon plates ginserted innarrow slots in the ends of the rail, and held therein by suitable pins,as shown. The slots j are desirably provided at one end with enlargedopenings j'i,through which the heads of the studs g may be inserted inputting the parts together. The set screws j are, as shown, insertedthrough apart of the casting J adjacent to the middle of the bed-frame,and are adapted to bear upon the ends of the crossrail G in such mannerthat the latter may be moved in the castings J in a direction to tightenthe fabric F.

In order to lock-the hooksH upon the studs g, so as to prevent saidhooksfrom becoming disengaged from the studs when the bed is folded, orunder other circumstances, I have provided slides or bolts J2 upon theends of the cross-rail G, said slides or bolts being held upon the barin such manner that their outer ends, when thrust outwardly, will comeover or in contact with the ends of the hooks engaged with the studs insuch manner as to prevent any swinging movement thereof. In theparticular construction of the parts shown, in which the castings J arepresent, said bolts J2 consist of thin pieces of metal, which are fittedto slide in grooves in the under sides of the flanges J of the castingsand pass through apertures in the outer faces of said castings, asclearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the said bolts being provided withupturned parts ji, by which they may be readily moved. The inner ends ofthe bolts being, by the construction set forth, located inside of theside rails B B', access may be readily had to said bolts when it isdesired to release the hooks H or to lock them in place upon the studsg.

L, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is a locking lever or hook, which is pivoted uponone of the side rails B of the body-framaand is provided with a hookernotch, l, adapted to engage a stud, b', upon the rails B when the bed isfolded, so as to hold the rails closely together' or prevent them fromspreading. Said lever L is preferably located upon the inner face of theside rails, and is extended upwardly and forwardly in such manner thatwhen the bed is folded the outer or free end thereof will come forwardof the side rail B and above the top of the side upright, ai, of thefoot-section A', the said free end of the lever being provided with anotch, Z', arranged to engage a stud, L', upon the inner face of the endA3 ofthe curved top A2, in such manner that when the top is closed theend of the lever engaged with the stud will be forced and helddownwardly in position for the engagement of the notch Z with the studb. Novel means are also herein shown for locking together the parts Aand A of the easing at the lower part of the latter, consisting of ahorizcntallyerranged lever, M, pivoted atm toa cross-piece, N, attachedto the foot-frame A', and provided with a hook, on, adapted to engage aprojection or catch, in?, upon across-piece, N', of the head-frame A,the said lever M being held in position for engagement with the catch m2by means of a spring, M2, and connected at its free end with a movablerod, M', constructed to slide vertically upon the footframe, andterminating at its upper end vin convenient position for manipulation bya person opening the bed. The surfaces of the hooked end m ofthe rod andthe catch on are, as shown, inelined in such manner that they willengage each other automatically when the head and foot sections arebrought together.

In the particular construction of the parts shown the rod M is movablyheld in place by headed pins or screws mi, passing through longitudinalslots in the rod into the footboard, and said rod is provided with alateral projection or head, au", at its upper end,whereby it may bereadily grasped and operated. rThe spring M2 also is, as shown, appliedbetween the lower end of the rod and a stationary part of thefootsection, the end of the lever M being engaged with the rod byentering an aperture near the lower end thereof.

The parts A and A of the casing are shown in the drawings as supportedupon rollers or casters in the same manner as are the parts of thecasing shown in said Patent No. 316,361.

I am aware that heretofore the cross-rails of woven wire mattress frameshave been connected with the longitudinal parts of said frames bysliding connections consisting of IOO heads or studs in the longitudinalparts engaging slotsin castings to which the cross-rails are attached,said castings being provided with adjusting-recesses bearing upon theends of the longitudinal rails, whereby the end rails of the frame maybe adjusted as to their distance apart. My invention, as it relates tomeans for adjusting the tension of the fabric, therefore is restrictedto the particular features of construction herein shown, in whichslotted castings connected with the cross -rail by headed studs upon therail are employed as a means of connecting the hooksHwith the saidcross-rail, as set forth in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the several appended claims cover theseveral devices, parts, or elements therein set forth when said devices,parts, or elements are in form to procure either, any, or all of theadvantages, functions, or purposes arising from or obtained by saiddevices, parts, or elements when constructed in thcmanner herein shown.

I claim as my invention l. The combination, with the headsection of thecasing of a folding bed, having suitable side and top walls, and afoot-section lower than the head -section, comprising suitable front andsidc walls and open at its top, of a cylindric top or cover pivoted tothe headsection, provided with side walls, and con` structed to restupon or against the top of the foot-section, so as to close the casingwhen the parts arc brought together, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a folding-bed casing, with a foot-section and aheadsection comprising vertical side walls and a back Wall, a', of acylindric top pivotally connected with the head-section, the rearportion of the top and back wall, a', being constructed to meet edge toedge when the said top is thrown backward, substantially as described.

8. The combinatiomwith a stationary part of a bed-casing and side rails,B B,pivoted thereto, of a cross-rail, G, castings J, having slidingconnection with the ends ofthe cross-rail and with the said rails B B',said castings being provided with studs g and also with slots j, headedstuds or projections g', secured in the endsV of the rails and engagedwith the said slots, adjusting devices applied between the said castingsand the cross-rail, and hooks H, pivoted upon the bed-casing andengaging the said studs g, substantially as described.

4. Ihe combination, with a stationary part of the bed-casing and siderails, B B', pivoted thereto, of a crossrail, G, castings J, havingsliding connection with the ends of the said cross-rail and with theside rails, said castings being provided With studs g, and also withslots j', plates g2, secured in slots in the cross-rail, and providedwith headed studs g', engaged with the slots j', adjusting devicesapplied between the castings and the crossrail, and hooks H, pivotedupon the said casing and engaged with the studs g, substantially asdescribed.

5. 'Ihe combination, with astationary part of the bed-casing, of slottedside rails, B B', pivoted to the said casing, a cross-rail, G, castingsJ, provided with side flanges, J', and fitted upon the end of thecross-rail, said castings being provided with studs g, slots j', andset-screws j, studs g' upon the end of the rail engaged with the'saidslots,and hooks H upon the casing engaged with the said studs g,substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the head and foot sections of the casing of afolding bed, and jointed side rails, B B', one of said side rails beingprovided with a pin, L', of a lever, L, pivoted to the other side rail,and having a notch, Z, to engage the said pin b', and also a notch, Z',at its free end, and a movable top or cover, as A2, provided with a pin,L', constructed to engage the notch b', substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the headsection A and footsection A', of ahorizontal lever, VM, pivoted upon the lower part of the foot section, acatch, m2, upon the lower part of the head-section, constructed toengage said lever, a vertical rod, M', mounted to slide upon the innerface of the vertical wall of the foot-section and engaged with the leverM at its lower end, anda spiral spring, M2, applied to the lower partofthe rod to lift the latter, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the cross-rail G and hooks H, of slides orbolts J'l upon said cross-rail, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing asl my invention I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL F. HOPF. Witnesses:

C. C. POOLE, G. F. LANAGHEN.

IOO

